It’s easy to think that visiting Amsterdam in the spring would be similar to other parts of the world with warmer weather and perhaps lighter evenings. In reality, spring has a completely different feel to it in Amseterdam. The buildings that make up the historic canal ring glow orange in the soft evening light; café tables start to appear again outside restaurants along the Prinsengracht; and the tulip fields just south of Amsterdam begin to produce the vibrant colours that have become synonymous with Dutch art and photography.
But this isn’t just good news for tourists who want to enjoy Amsterdam. It’s also fantastic news for British visitors because it’s relatively quick and easy to travel here by air and then by train from Amsterdam Schiphol airport into the heart of the city. Flight times from almost all UK airports are no more than an hour long, and trains from Schiphol to Amsterdam take no more than 20 minutes, running regularly throughout the day.
As such, this section will look specifically at what happens in Amsterdam between mid-March and late-May, when to book your travel plans for Amsterdam in the spring, and how to travel to Amsterdam quickly and affordably from the UK.
The Spring Calendar That Matters
Spring in Holland is runs to a tight schedule, so it’s worth noting down the key dates before booking your trip.
Keukenhof, the famous tulip bulb garden located near the town of Lisse, is only open for 8-weeks every year. Keukenhof was open for the 2026 season from March 19th until May 10th, with the gardens open daily from 8 am to 7 pm with last entry allowed at 6 pm. The garden is a massive 32-hectares and there are around 7-million bulbs and an incredible 800 types of tulip to admire. Typically, the peak period of tulip blooming occurs between mid-April and the first week of May although this may vary depending upon the weather.
There are two dates during the Tulip Season that we recommend taking note of. Firstly, the Bloemencorso Flower Parade usually takes in mid-late April. This event features a procession of decorated floats moving from Noordwijk to Haarlem that passes Keukenhof in the afternoon. Secondly, King’s Day is celebrated on April 27th. On this day, the entire city of Amsterdam effectively becomes one large street party with many of the city’s canals closed to regular vehicular traffic and a city-wide flea market. Due to these events hotel prices increase significantly prior to both days, so booking your accommodations early or avoiding these days altogether would be highly recommended.
Late-March through early May provides excellent alternatives for fewer crowds and better prices. While you won’t experience peak tulip blooms, you’ll still enjoy pleasant spring temperatures, extended daylight hours, open outdoor café seating areas and a general sense of renewal. Combining optimal tulip viewing opportunities while minimizing flight costs could involve looking for discounted flights to Amsterdam with Air France from London, Manchester, Edinburgh or Newcastle via Paris CDG Airport Connection.
Beyond Tulips
While Keukenhof attracts millions of visitors each year, treating it as a single-day excursion instead of planning an entire trip centred around it often proves to be the better decision. A round-trip ticket price for the Keukenhof Express bus (Line 852), traveling from Amsterdam RAI Station to Keukenhof Gardens was priced at €38.50 per adult in 2026. However, when purchasing combi-tickets for entry/return transportation on line 852, this total decreased to €38.50 per adult.
Within Amsterdam City Center, some of the top tourist attractions remain open throughout the Spring Season with much smaller crowds than are present during Summer months. Timed-entry systems are used at all three of the major museums in Amsterdam (Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum & Rijksmuseum). Therefore, booking tickets for April dates is best done at least 2-3 weeks in advance. Vondelpark is another lovely spot for a leisurely walk or picnic in the park once the trees have sprouted leaves. The Hortus Botanicus in the Old Plantage District offers a great alternative to Keukenhof for travellers seeking botanical variety without being surrounded by groups of tourists on buses.
Visitors wishing to explore the surrounding countryside where the tulip fields are grown can do so for free simply by parking their vehicles on side roads and cycling paths nearby. Many local bicycle rental companies operate within the Bulb Region and offer pre-determined guided tours through quiet back roads that minimize exposure to heavy traffic volumes.
Bad weather does occasionally arise, particularly in late-Spring. If you visit Keukenhof at such a stime, you can still view rotating flower displays housed in enclosed pavilions throughout the Spring season. These pavilions include orchids and anthurium exhibits that remain throughout the eight-week-long season as well as themed exhibitions featuring hyacinths, roses, daffodils, and carnations displayed on a weekly basis.
Travel Options From UK To Amsterdam
One of Europe’s most efficiently operated airports is Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport. Travellers arriving at Amsterdam Schiphol airport can easily get to central Amsterdam using the efficient Dutch rail network. Trains depart frequently from Schiphol to Amsterdam Central Railway Station with journey times averaging 15-20 minutes and costing approximately €5.90 one-way at 2026 rates.
There are currently three primary travel options available to British travellers wishing to travel directly to Amsterdam. Three major airlines operate direct services from London Heathrow/Birmingham/Manchester/Edinburgh/Newcastle airports with average flight times under 80 minutes. Alternatively, passengers can travel from London St Pancras railway station to Amsterdam Centraal railway station via Eurostar in just over 4 hours offering travellers a convenient door-to-door transfer option. Finally, passengers may choose to arrive at Amsterdam Centraal by ferry from Newcastle and then connect by shuttle bus to their final destination.
In terms of obtaining suitable flight and schedule combinations while keeping costs low for a short city-break type vacation during Spring, booking your travel arrangements at least 6-10 weeks prior to departure provides travellers with the largest selection of fare options and preferred flight schedules.
Additionally, avoiding traveling to/from Amsterdam during Easter Weekend (April 5-6) and/or during the Meivakantie School Holidays (April 25-May 3) may result in lower-priced.
